More needs to be done to support disabled rights in the workplace, says DRC

More than half a million enquiries have been made to the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) Helpline since it was established in 2000. This year the Helpline has handled 124,368 enquiries with 70% coming from disabled individuals, their representatives, relatives or friends.

10,986 enquiries of potential disability discrimination were received in the past year. Almost half of these (49%) were employment related, highlighting the discrimination that disabled people continue to face in the workplace. A further 35% of potential discrimination enquiries related to services, 12% to education and 4% to premises.

According to the Impact Report, which sets out the work of the DRC during 2004-5, in comparison to the last five years, there was a noticeable surge in enquiries as new disability legislation came into force in October 2004. Employment rights for disabled people dramatically improved from 1 October 2004 when the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) was extended to cover all employers except the armed forces.

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) has also launched a major national debate on the future of disabled people’s equality in Britain.

Bert Massie, Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission said: “The DRC will leave a strong legacy but Britain still has a long way to go before disabled people can take up their place as full and active citizens. In employment disabled people remain twice as likely to be out of work and more likely to earn less; in education they have fewer qualifications; transport remains a barrier for many; and the right to independent living is still a dream rather than a reality.”

Source: The Disability Rights Commission
Related link: The Impact Report